Lady Lake, Fl. (352today.com) – On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Sheltering Hands Inc, a local 501c3 nonprofit cat rescue, hosted its 1st Annual Paddle Auction at Water Oak Country Club in Lady Lake. With more than 125 participants, the evening raised nearly $6,000 to directly support its services and programs.
The funds raised will have an immediate and meaningful impact allowing the organization to best serve the community. Proceeds strengthen Sheltering Hands’ Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives, which reduce the population of community cats in humane and sustainable ways and support the shelter’s clinic operations providing access to low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, ensuring that more families can provide care for their pets without financial strain.
Additionally, the funds will provide vital backing for adoption programs including the Love for a Lifetime Program, which matches senior cats (age 8+) with senior humans (age 75+) at no adoption cost, offering companionship for people and a forever home for cats that may otherwise be overlooked. Contributions also bolster the shelter’s comprehensive foster and adoption program, which serves cats of all ages and helps prepare them for permanent homes.
“This event is a fundraiser for the shelter, but more so, it is a celebration of community and commitment to animal welfare,” said April LeSage, Executive Director of Sheltering Hands. “Every dollar raised translates into real, measurable benefits for the cats. Whether that’s providing life-bettering surgery spay/neuter surgery, ensuring a senior cat finds a home late in life, or giving a family the opportunity to adopt a healthy cat. The generosity shown at the Paddle Auction inspires us to keep moving forward and reminds us of the difference we can make when we come together.”
Board Member-at-Large Peggy Rubino added her thanks and highlighted the broad impact of community support:
“Events like the Paddle Auction prove how much impact people can make when they rally behind a cause,” Rubino said. “The success of this night means more cats will receive important treatments, more adoptions will happen, and more lives, both feline and human, will be enriched through the unconditional love only a pet can provide. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated, and cheered us on. The compassion of our supporters is what makes Sheltering Hands thrive.”
Founded in 2007, Sheltering Hands is located at 10397 U.S. Highway 27 in Ocala. Through its clinic and shelter volunteers and staff provide spay/neuter surgeries and care for cats in preparation for adoption. In addition, Sheltering Hands operates a popular adoption site inside PetSmart in Lady Lake (534 U.S. 441), giving cats greater visibility and increasing adoption opportunities. The nonprofit also runs the Sheltering Hands Thrift Store at 312 Teague Trail in Lady Lake, where proceeds directly benefit its programs.
Sheltering Hands wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors and partners who made the Paddle Auction possible. Their contributions ensured the event’s success and amplified the shelter’s ability to serve the community:
- Constantino Drywall and Painting
- Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club of Lady Lake
- Cat Crazy Villagers Club
- The Animal Clinic of Lady Lake
- Stella Brantley of Scentsy
The organization encourages anyone interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating to learn more by:
- stopping by the main clinic/shelter in Ocala, daily 10am – 3pm
- visiting the Sheltering Hands Thrift Store, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm